What the sound means and what to do about it

grill tank Raleigh, NC If you are ever out in your North Carolina yard grilling and hear your propane cylinder hissing, you should put a pause on your cooking immediately. That hissing sound could indicate that there is a serious issue with your grill, and if it isn’t addressed properly and in a timely manner, you may find yourself and your grill in a less-than-ideal situation.

The first step in addressing this problem is to understand why a hissing sound is coming from your grill tank in the first place.

What causes a propane cylinder to hiss

There are some fairly universal reasons why one hears a hissing sound coming from his or her grill tank. Let’s take a look at what they are:

Problems with your grill’s regulator: An improperly working grill regulator (which controls the flow of gas from the tank to the grill) can cause uneven or excessive gas flow. As gas escapes, you may hear a hissing sound. You should contact a professional if you are experiencing regulator issues.
Not enough fuel: Your propane cylinder’s pressure can decrease too much if fuel levels get too low. This can cause a hissing sound and is an indication that you need to either replace or refill your tank sooner rather than later. Not only can low levels of fuel cause a hissing sound, but also your grill’s heat distribution will not be even, making cooking quite challenging. If your grill tank runs out of fuel completely, your grill may shut down entirely.
Loose connections: Gas can escape (and then hiss as it escapes) from a poor seal as well as a loose or damaged connection between a tank and a grill. Look for and tighten any loose connections as necessary.
Fluctuations in the temperature: Condensation can form inside a tank when that tank is exposed to fluctuating temperatures. The moisture from that condensation can then mix with gas and make a hissing sound when a grill is turned on.

What to do when you hear a hissing sound coming from your grill tank

Remember that a hissing sound coming from your propane cylinder should be dealt with as soon as it is noticed.

If you hear a hiss from your grill tank, you should turn your grill off immediately and check for the smell of gas (a propane user will smell something that resembles the scent of rotten eggs). Inspect your cylinder to see if you can find any visible signs of damage and then make sure you contact a professional.

Additional tips when grilling propane cylinders

Knowing what to do when you hear a hissing sound from your grill tank is just one part of safe grilling. Here are some additional safety tips for grilling with and handling a propane cylinder:

Do your grilling on level ground and at least six feet away from your house.
Keep a fire extinguisher near your grill.
Turn your grill completely off before making any adjustments to your grill tank and before disconnecting your grill tank.
Store your propane cylinders out of direct sunlight and on a level surface that is in a well-ventilated area.

Come to K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas when you need a propane cylinder refill

Bring your propane cylinders to the K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas filling station in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, for a quick and easy refill.

Keep your propane grill tank full with the help of K.B. Johnson. Contact us today to learn more!